AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL STAFF

Barbara Morgan co-founded Austin Film Festival in 1993 and has served as the sole Executive Director since 1999. As a filmmaker, Morgan developed and produced the film NATURAL SELECTION, which has aired on Showtime, the Sci-fi channel, and was released internationally. Morgan also co-produced the feature documentary ANTONE’S: HOME OF THE BLUES, which as also released internationally. Most recently, Morgan produced the documentary feature, PORTRAIT OF WALLY, now screening in selected theatres throughout the country, and the narrative feature SPRING EDDY, soon to be released. She developed and produces the TV series “On Story: Presented by Austin Film Festival”, currently airing on Austin’s KLRU and other PBS stations across the country. In 2010, Morgan produced a reading of Bud Shrake’s play “A Friend of Carlos Monson” with director Jeff Nichols. In 2013 Morgan co-edited “On Story: Screenwriters and Their Craft”, which was published by UT Press. Morgan serves on the Board of Directors for a number of organizations, including International Film Festival Summit and The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University.

Matt attended the University of Texas at Austin and received a Bachelor of Science in Radio/TV/Film in 2005. During his time there, he served as the Co-Director for the University Filmmakers’ Alliance Film Conference and first worked for Austin Film Festival as an intern for the Screenplay Competition Department. After his internship, Matt continued working for AFF by helping evaluate First Round scripts as a reader for the Screenplay Competition and eventually was hired as the organization’s Office Manager. After two years in that position, he assumed the role of Screenplay Competition Director, where he helped facilitate over 4400 screenplay entries in 2010. This is his second year as the Director of the Competition. Matt has also written several short and feature screenplays and a stage play that was performed at FronteraFest in Austin.

Erin Hallagan is the Creative Director for the Austin Film Festival where she oversees both the Film and Conference planning. She originally joined AFF as their Film Competition Programmer, stepping in as Conference Director in the summer of 2012. In addition to orchestrating the annual Screenwriters Conference and the year-round On Story®: Conversations in Film series, she works in tandem with the film team to plan, promote, and implement the film program. Hailing from the East Coast, she studied Film and Theatre at Temple University, focusing on writing, directing, and editing. Prior to moving to Austin, Erin taught screenwriting courses at the Graduate School of Washington, DC, while also managing the programs and riding school at a high-volume equestrian center. Erin currently serves as an Associate Producer for Austin Film Festival’s television show, On Story.

Elizabeth Mims grew up in Austin, Texas and graduated with a BFA from CalArts. Her 2012 film Only The Young was theatrically released by Oscilloscope and won numerous awards including the Silverdoc’s Sterling Silver Award for best US documentary, American Film Institute Audience Award, and was nominated for a Spirit Award. She has worked with Austin Film Festival previously as the Director of the Young Filmmakers Program.

Born and raised in Austin, Harrison Glaser has always had a strong passion for film, his city, and putting on events. While studying at Southwestern University, Harrison helped create Clusterfest, the University’s first ever large-scale music festival. After graduating, he began working for Austin Film Festival as an intern in the Conference department. He went on to serve as the Conference Assistant, and is now thrilled to continue to further the Festival’s mission as the Film Program Coordinator. In addition to working at AFF, Harrison enjoys seeing live music and exploring all of the treats the city of Austin has to offer.

Fernando has been involved with AFF in years past in other capacities including Registration Director and Volunteer Coordinator. After a year of traveling the world, Fernando has once again planted his roots in Austin. Originally from El Paso, Fernando graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Radio-Television-Film. He’s worked on numerous film and video productions throughout the years. Recently, he’s been a contributor to the Austin Chronicle for film related content. When not traveling, Fernando can be found taking in the music scene or taking some chips over the poker felt.

Allison is originally from Mission Viejo, CA. She moved to Austin in 2005 to attend the University of Texas at Austin and received a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations in 2009. She began working for Austin Film Festival in 2008 as a Conference Department Intern. During her last year at UT, she became the Assistant to the Executive Director till 2010 when she moved to the Hospitality Coordinator position for 2 years. During that time Allison planned the Festival parties and was Event Coordinator for AFF’s Young Filmmakers Program fundraising party- Film & Food. She recently took over as Development Director in December 2012. In her time outside of the office, she enjoys reading, shopping, wine tasting and spending time with her husbnad, Joey, and their dog, Briggs- the Regal Beagle.

Samantha is originally from Chicago and came to Austin in 2006 to attend the University of Texas, she graduated with a BA in Theatre and Dance with a concentration in RTF. In January of 2013 she began as an Office Manager Apprentice after the Festival she transitioned into the Events Coordinator position and is now excited to take on the role of Office Manager. Samantha feels lucky to have been welcomed into the AFF office and is passionate about the mission of the Festival. When she is not helping our registrants book hotels, she enjoys yoga, live music, and cycling.

Sonia Onescu first joined the AFF team in 2011 interning under the Executive Director. She earned a B.A in Electronic Media from Texas State University. During her time at Texas State, Sonia served as Assistant News Director of the college radio station KTSW 89.9, winning several awards for radio documentaries she wrote, produced and edited. Sonia returned to AFF in 2012 to manage several different projects including the ON STORY show and book series. Sonia also oversees all of the AFF archives and is currently working to transfer and store nearly 20 years of material. Originally from Madrid, Spain, Sonia coincidentally moved to Austin the same year of AFF’s inception-something she believes was meant to be. Besides multi-tasking on a daily basis, Sonia enjoys live music, photography, reading, and spending time outdoors.

Originally from Houston, Texas, Linzy graduated from The University of Texas at Austin this past May with two degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Hispanic Studies. She began interning at Austin Film Festival in the conference department in the fall and is excited to join the staff researching for On Story and assisting Barb with all of her reasonable demands. In her spare time, Linzy enjoys watching what her friends call “pretentious television shows” and practicing improv comedy with a local troupe.